Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Meow (2017) movie poster

Plot Summary

Meow (2017) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 109 mins · Cantonese
Directed by
Benny Chan Muk-Sing
Starring
Louis Koo, Carl Ng, Lam Tze-Chung, Michelle Wai Si-Nga, Calvin Choi Yat-Chi, Winnie Leung Man-Yee

For millennia, alien beings known as MEOW have inhabited Earth, arriving from a distant planet and taking the form of cats. With their charming looks and intelligence, these MEOWs have become cherished pets, enjoying a life of endless food and comfort. Some live as carefree, almost mafia-like figures, while others consider humans their servants, ruling their homes like royalty.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 What happens: full plot
  3. 3 Plot questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Meow
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Meow (2017)

Where can you watch Meow? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Google Play Movies and YouTube: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Meow: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Meow (2017) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

In a far corner of the universe, a planet called Meow houses a community of cats so cultured that they seem almost human. Thousands of years ago, the Meow king sent emissaries to Earth to gauge an invasion, but every mission vanished into the unknown, and the king gradually shelved his plans. Now, craving momentum and daring, the king chooses his boldest warrior to spearhead the mission: Pudding. Yet the journey takes an unexpected turn when a precious divine Meow device—whose purpose is to shield a conqueror from Earth’s particles—slips from Pudding’s grasp, robbing him of his formidable powers. The once-nimble fighter is transformed into a giant, out-of-shape cat named Sai-sai-lei, a turn of fate that frames the rest of the tale.

Sai-sai-lei ends up swept into the life of a warm, ordinary family: Ng Sau-lung [Louis Koo], his wife Chow Lai-chu [Ma Li], their elder son Ng Yau-choi [Andy Huang], and their younger daughter Ng Yau-yau [Liu Chutian]. At first, he hides among the nooks of the Ng household, trying to keep his true identity under wraps while seeking the elusive device that would restore his powers and allow a second attempt at invasion. His plan, however, clashes with the daily rhythms of a loving home, and the cat’s rough edges begin to soften as he witnesses the family’s patience, humor, and genuine care for one another.

As Sai-sai-lei settles into domestic life, he finds himself drawn into the family’s routines—dinner conversations, schoolyard mischief, and the quiet rituals that bind a family together. The Ngs treat him with unexpected kindness, offering trust and friendship rather than fear or suspicion. The elder son, played out through Ng Yau-choi’s moments, and the younger daughter, Ng Yau-yau, bring laughter and warmth to their unlikely houseguest, while the parents strive to keep the household peaceful and intact. In this environment, Sai-sai-lei begins to question the old pull toward conquest; the love and sincerity he encounters challenge the old warrior code and awaken a softer, more human side of him—the side that values family above domination.

For a time, the plan to invade recedes as Sai-sai-lei grows attached to the human bonds he’s formed. He and the Ng family navigate moments of chaos and tenderness, miscommunication and mercy, all while a sense of wonder accompanies the cat’s strange new life among people who accept him despite his oddities. The film leans into humor and heart, painting a picture of a creature who was bred to conquer learning to thrive on affection, loyalty, and the small, important moments that define a home.

Yet the thread of destiny remains taut. The day comes when the divine Meow device reappears or is somehow recovered, reigniting the possibility of an Earth invasion. Sai-sai-lei confronts a choice: return to his mission with the power to threaten, or cling to the transformative experience of the Ng family’s warmth and the new meaning he has found in their trust. The narrative keeps this tension alive, balancing moments of comic misadventure with genuine emotion as Sai-sai-lei weighs his past duties against the bonds he has formed.

Ultimately, this story blends sci-fi whimsy with a poignant look at family, belonging, and the unexpected ways compassion can reshape a warrior. It invites viewers to see how an outsider—whether a brave but fallen alien or a literal giant cat—can be softened by love, and how love, in turn, can alter the course of an entire mission.

Last updated: February 20, 2026 at 12:19

Was this helpful?

Plot questions answered

Meow Plot Explained: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask most about Meow (2017): what happens in the confusing scenes, why the characters do what they do, the twists, hidden details and what the ending means. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Why did Pudding lose his divine powers?

Pudding lost his divine powers during the space voyage to Earth. While carrying the divine Meow device, which is designed to shield a conqueror from Earth's particles, it slipped from his grasp and fell away. Without this device, he was no longer protected from Earth's environment and lost all his formidable warrior abilities.

Foreshadowing: The device was introduced earlier as a critical piece of equipment needed for any Earth mission.

  • divine device
  • powers lost
  • Pudding
  • space voyage
  • Meow device
Q2

How did Pudding become Sai-sai-lei?

After losing the divine device and his powers, Pudding underwent a dramatic transformation. The loss of the device's protection caused him to morph into a giant, out-of-shape cat named Sai-sai-lei. This radical physical change marked his transition from a nimble alien warrior to a powerless creature dependent on Earth's environment.

Foreshadowing: The device's purpose was specifically to protect its user from Earth's particles, making its loss directly responsible for the transformation.

  • transformation
  • Pudding
  • Sai-sai-lei
  • giant cat
  • powers lost
Q3

Why did Sai-sai-lei decide not to invade Earth?

Sai-sai-lei's perspective shifted after living with the Ng family. As he observed their patience, humor, and genuine care for one another, he began to form genuine emotional bonds with each family member. The love and sincerity he experienced challenged his warrior code and awakened a softer side. Eventually, the affection he felt for Louis, Chow Lai-chu, and their children became more important than his mission of conquest.

Foreshadowing: Early in his stay, he attempted to sow chaos within the family to weaken human resistance, but these plans gradually faded as his feelings grew.

  • invasion
  • Sai-sai-lei
  • Ng family
  • love
  • family bonds
  • change of heart
Q4

What is the divine Meow device and what does it do?

The divine Meow device is a special tool created by the Meow civilization. Its primary function is to shield a conqueror from Earth's particles, allowing the bearer to maintain their powers and divine abilities while on Earth. Without it, any Meow warrior would lose their powers and be vulnerable to Earth's environment.

Foreshadowing: The king specifically chose Pudding to carry this device for the invasion mission, highlighting its critical importance.

  • divine device
  • Meow technology
  • powers
  • shield
  • Earth particles
Q5

Why did the Ng family accept Sai-sai-lei into their home?

The Ng family, a warm ordinary family consisting of Louis Koo, his wife Ma Li, their elder son Andy Huang, and younger daughter Liu Chutian, took in Sai-sai-lei without knowing his true alien identity. They treated him with unexpected kindness, offering trust and friendship rather than fear. Their compassionate nature led them to welcome the unusual giant cat as a pet despite his odd appearance.

Foreshadowing: The family's character was established early as loving and accepting, which foreshadows their willingness to take in an unusual creature.

  • Ng family
  • Louis Koo
  • adoption
  • pet
  • acceptance
  • kindness
Q6

How did Sai-sai-lei's relationship with the Ng family develop?

Initially, Sai-sai-lei hid his true identity while searching for the divine device that could restore his powers and enable invasion. He even plotted to stir chaos within the family to weaken human resistance. However, as time passed, he became drawn into the family's daily routines, dinner conversations, schoolyard mischief, and quiet family rituals. The genuine affection from each family member gradually softened his rough edges and transformed his intentions.

Foreshadowing: His early scheming to cause family tension directly contrasts with his later emotional investment in their wellbeing.

  • relationship
  • Ng family
  • growth
  • bonding
  • transformation
  • emotional change
Q7

Why did the Meow king send messengers to Earth thousands of years ago?

Thousands of years ago, the Meow king launched an invasion plan and sent emissaries from the Meow planet to Earth to gauge the planet's readiness for conquest. These messengers were meant to prepare the ground for a future invasion. However, every single mission vanished into the unknown, never returning. This led the king to gradually shelve his invasion plans, though he continued watching for future opportunities.

Foreshadowing: The mysterious disappearance of these messengers explains why Earth remained unconquered for millennia.

  • Meow king
  • messengers
  • invasion
  • thousands of years ago
  • Earth
Q8

What happened when the divine device reappeared?

When the long-missing divine Meow device resurfaced and reunited with Sai-sai-lei, he regained his true powers and the ability to plan an invasion of Earth. This moment marked a critical turning point, as the potential for conquest was renewed. However, rather than immediately proceeding with invasion, Sai-sai-lei was faced with a difficult choice: return to his mission with threatening power, or keep the bonds he had formed with the Ng family.

Foreshadowing: The device's recovery directly connects to his original mission parameters established at the start of the film.

  • device reappeared
  • powers restored
  • invasion threat
  • Sai-sai-lei choice
Q9

Why was Pudding chosen to lead the Earth mission?

When the Meow king revived the invasion program in present day, he selected Pudding as the vanguard because Pudding was the boldest and bravest warrior among the Meow. The king needed someone with exceptional courage and skill to spearhead this important mission. However, the mission took an unexpected turn when Pudding lost the divine device during the journey.

Foreshadowing: The king's decision to choose the boldest warrior suggests high expectations for the mission's success.

  • Pudding
  • chosen
  • king
  • warrior
  • invasion leader
  • brave
Q10

What was Sai-sai-lei's original mission on Earth?

Sai-sai-lei's original mission was to lead an invasion of Earth on behalf of the Meow kingdom. As the chosen vanguard, he was tasked with conquering the planet after the Meow king revived the invasion plan. To accomplish this, he carried the divine Meow device that would protect him from Earth's particles and preserve his powers. However, losing the device derailed this mission entirely.

Foreshadowing: His identity as Pudding, the boldest warrior selected by the king, establishes his original purpose before his transformation.

  • original mission
  • invasion
  • Earth
  • Pudding
  • conquest
  • vanguard
Q11

Why did the Meow king revive the invasion plan?

The Meow king revived the invasion plan after thousands of years because he was craving momentum and a fresh opportunity for conquest. Although previous messenger missions had vanished over the millennia, the king decided the time was right to try again. He selected a new warrior to lead the mission, demonstrating his continued ambition to conquer Earth.

Foreshadowing: The ancient history of failed missions shows this was not the king's first attempt at Earth conquest.

  • king revived
  • invasion plan
  • conquest
  • Meow planet
  • thousands of years

Movie threads

More Movies Like Meow, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Meow tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Whimsical alien family adventures like Meow

Playful extraterrestrial stories blending sci-fi with domestic warmth and gentle comedy. If you enjoyed Meow, you'll love these movies featuring charming aliens who form unexpected bonds with Earth families through gentle comedy and heartwarming connections.

  • whimsical
  • family-friendly
  • playful
  • charming
  • uplifting
  • gentle comedy
  • Tone: whimsical, uplifting
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories typically revolve around non-threatening alien beings who arrive on Earth and gradually integrate into human families through amusing misadventures, transforming from outsiders to cherished companions.

Why they belong together: These movies share a unique blend of sci-fi concepts with domestic warmth, maintaining low stakes while delivering uplifting emotional arcs about acceptance and family bonding.

Transformative pet companionship stories like Meow

Heartwarming stories where unlikely animals bring families together through growth and love. Find more movies similar to Meow where special pets or animals bring families closer through heartwarming adventures and personal growth journeys.

  • heartwarming
  • family bonding
  • pet adventures
  • transformative
  • tender
  • uplifting
  • Tone: tender, uplifting
  • Pacing: steady, episodic
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives follow a pet or animal's journey from outsider to beloved family member, creating emotional arcs focused on bonding, responsibility, and the simple joys of companionship.

Why they belong together: They feature gentle transformations where animals serve as catalysts for family connection, emphasizing tender moments and lighthearted challenges that strengthen bonds.

If you liked this

Movies Like Meow

Similar movies to Meow: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Meow (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Meow in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app